Concept Design: East-West Marquise Bypass

A marquise cut diamond set horizontally across the finger, framed by two diamond-set bypass shoulders flowing in opposite directions, in 18ct yellow gold.

What is a bypass setting?

A bypass setting is a design where the band splits and curves around the centre stone from two directions rather than meeting it head-on. One shoulder approaches from above, the other from below, and the two pass each other behind the diamond. The result is a ring that wraps and frames the stone rather than just holding it up.

Bypass designs date back to the late 1800s and have always been associated with sculptural, expressive engagement rings. They're for buyers who want movement and asymmetry rather than the symmetrical balance of a traditional solitaire or halo.

Why an East-West marquise

The marquise cut is one of the most underrated diamond shapes we sell. It sits longer on the finger than almost any other cut, which makes the diamond appear visually larger than a round of the same carat weight.

Setting it east-west (horizontally across the finger rather than vertically along it) turns the marquise into the widest possible feature of the ring. The pointed tips extend out toward the bypass shoulders, and the diamond-set band frames them on both sides. The whole composition reads as one continuous line of sparkle across the hand.

This concept

This version pairs a marquise cut diamond set east-west with two diamond-set bypass shoulders in 18ct yellow gold. The bezel detail at the points of the marquise protects the most fragile parts of the stone, where chips happen most easily if left exposed. The diamond-set bypass shoulders carry the sparkle out from the centre stone, creating dimension and movement that a straight band can't.

Everything can be changed

This is a starting point, not the only option. You can change:

• Stone shape (marquise as pictured, or stone shape of your choice)
• Stone type (diamond, sapphire, ruby, emerald, your partner's birthstone, an heirloom stone reset)
• Lab grown or natural diamond
• Carat weight
• Metal (yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, two-tone, platinum)
• Bypass style (diamond-set as pictured, or plain polished metal)
• Setting style (bezel as pictured, or claw set)
• Orientation (set east-west as pictured, or rotated vertically)

A note on wedding bands

A bypass design like this won't sit flush against a standard straight wedding band, so a custom-shaped wedding band is usually part of the picture. This is normal for any non-traditional engagement ring shape, and it's something we'll walk you through during your consultation. We design the engagement ring and wedding band together so they fit perfectly as a set, and the wedding band can be made at the same time or further down the track when you're ready.

Pricing

Custom pricing depends on stone size, type, and metal. Designs with custom metalwork and diamond-set bypass shoulders typically carry a higher making fee than standard settings due to the additional hand-finishing and setting work required. Enquire about this design and we'll come back to you with a tailored quote based on your specifications.

Enquire about this design or book a free consultation